This is what I have been working on the last couple months for Christmas gifts.

3 piece set:

For a family that just recently lost this Chocolate Lab,Wish I had taken a little bit better pic:

A piece I started a long time ago, I first posted it halfway done when I started this blog, it is a good friend’s dad on a horse riding trip through Colorado:

Josh’s Rainbow:

Matt’s Rainbow:

Thanks everyone, I enjoyed doing all these!

Tied by Enrico Puglisi – www.EPFlies.com

If the cards aren’t usually always stacked against me enough already, I have decided that I am going to fish nothing but one fly for the whole year of 2014, and it shall be the Everglades Special.  This fly is so diverse, through it’s shape and color, it can mimick so many different creatures that make up fresh and saltwater fish’s diets.

I have a few trips coming up this year, and the only one I am a little worried about is the Permit trip to The Palometa Club.  I think it could trick a Permit in a schooling situation, but not so much a tailing permit, but then again, you never know with those bastards!  I am not worried too much about my tarpon trip, unless of course we get into the mythical worm hatch, most likely will now.  Alaska shouldnt be too tough with the ol Everglades Special….Kings and Chums are pretty aggressive and the big ol Bows should eat it accordingly.  Fishing here in Charleston should be a breeze in the lowtide Winter and Spring months, for it is a proven pattern for that.  I could be very challenged during the tailing season, for they aren’t looking for baitfish/shrimp, and are too busy bulldozing for crabs.  I am not apposed to trimming the tail off and adding a cone weight and getting it down.  I am excited to see how many species in so many different locations I can pull this off in.

In the end, i really don’t think fish are as particular as we make them out to be.  I used to sit and just watch trout in a spring creek when I lived in Jackson, WY and those fish would let just about anything go in their mouths, constantly editing what was food and what wasn’t.  Yes, I know they were Cutthroat, but still…on the right day, these fish were tough as hell to catch as well. I just hope in the end, I am throwing these flies on the good days, the days where it doesn’t matter what you throw…I will need all the help I can get.  2014, The Everglades Special and me.

Roger Metz…I told you, also…Michael Bruner, you’re my hero!

-Paul

My lack of posts here lately is due to projects that I cant post until after Xmas.  I had about 4 fish paintings and 4 dog paintings to do.  I’ve been very busy and have never had this kind of work streak in my life.  I am very fortunate everyday to be able to paint things that I love to paint and have people spend their hard earned money for my creations, so thank you!  I will post the pieces here after the holidays!